Chromecast with Google TV Review 2026: discontinued, so now what?

Is the Chromecast still sold, and what is the successor?

Not new, no. Google stopped production in August 2024, when the Google TV Streamer was announced. On 20 February 2025 the 4K and HD versions disappeared from the Google Store. What is still for sale is leftover stock from marketplace sellers, or second-hand.

The successor is the Google TV Streamer. It is no longer a stick but a flat box, with 4 GB of RAM, 32 GB of storage, a built-in gigabit network port and a hub for Thread and Matter devices. Google promises security updates until at least September 2029.

If you come across a cheap second-hand Chromecast for a bedroom or second TV, that can still work well. Make sure you buy the 4K version if you want 4K and Dolby Vision, and don't pay more than the old launch price.

What can you still do with it in 2026?

Watching IPTV still works fine. The Chromecast runs Google TV with the full Play Store, so you simply install TiviMate, Smart IPTV, GSE SMART IPTV PRO and Kodi, and add other apps as APKs. The hardware is tight, though: with 2 GB of RAM and 8 GB of storage there is little room for a big TV guide and several apps at once.

In March 2025 the 4K model got Android TV 14. The first version was pulled because USB devices and Ethernet adapters didn't work properly; a fixed version followed. Guaranteed security updates ended on 30 September 2025, but Google's firmware page still lists a version for the 4K model with the August 2026 security patch, and its security page still lists it as a device receiving critical updates. You can't count on further updates.

Want a better remote? The Voice Remote from the Google TV Streamer also works with the Chromecast, and since Android TV 14 its search function and customisable button work too. The Chromecast won't become a smart home hub: it has no Thread chip.

No network port: Wi-Fi or adapter

The Chromecast has no network port, only Wi-Fi 5. Google sold a separate power adapter with a network port, but it manages 100 Mbit/s at most. For one 4K stream that is enough, as it usually needs 8 to 25 Mbit/s.

Third-party USB-C adapters with a gigabit port also work. The first Android 14 version had problems with Ethernet adapters, so keep the stick up to date. Without an adapter, preferably use your router's 5 GHz band.

Chromecast HD, Chromecast 4K and Google TV Streamer compared

The Chromecast with Google TV (HD) came out in Europe in September 2022 at €39.99. It plays 1080p at most, with HDR10, HDR10+ and HLG, but without Dolby Vision. It has an Amlogic S805X2 chip, 1.5 GB of RAM and 8 GB of storage. Google guarantees security updates for the HD version until 22 September 2027, but the latest patch Google lists is from October 2025. The HD version has also been off sale at Google since 20 February 2025.

The 4K version has 2 GB of RAM, plays 4K60 and also supports Dolby Vision. Both have 8 GB of storage, Dolby Atmos over HDMI and no network port. For IPTV the 4K version is the better of the two.

The Google TV Streamer goes a good deal further: 4 GB of RAM, 32 GB of storage, gigabit Ethernet, HDMI 2.1 and Bluetooth 5.1. If your Chromecast still works well, you don't need to switch straight away. If you run into a slow TV guide or stuttering Wi-Fi, or you're buying new, choose the Streamer.